Window Shade Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved window shade apparatus including a headrail including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail, a window cover affixed at one end to the headrail, a lift cord affixed at one end to the lift apparatus of the headrail and at a second end to a bottom portion of the window cover. The improved window shade apparatus includes a plurality attachment rings coupled to a rear surface of the window cover and a guide member, wherein the plurality of attachment members affix the guide member to the rear surface of the window cover. The lift cord extends from the headrail through the guide member and the window cover may be raised or lowered via the lift cord.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,499 filed Sep. 29, 2010 for an “Improved Window Shade Apparatus,” which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/356,186 filed Jun. 18, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to window coverings, and more particularly to an improved lift mechanism for a roman shade.

BACKGROUND

Window coverings, such as shades or blinds, typically have a horizontal or vertical covering to prevent sunlight from entering an area and to retain privacy. The covering, which is commonly in the form of slats or pleats, can hang vertically in the case of a vertical covering, or can extend horizontally from a headrail in the case of a horizontal covering. Many window coverings also include a bottom rail as well.

Typically in order to raise and lower the bottom rail relative to the floor, a looped cord extends from a point along the bottom rail through the slats and into the headrail. Two or more cords are often provided to raise or lower the window covering evenly. The window covering is raised or lowered by pulling or releasing the accessible portion of the cords. Inventions directed to minimizing or eliminating the possibility of entanglement in the cords are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,543, 6,044,523, 5,562,140 and 6,431,248. However, due to their weight, window coverings made of heavier materials present additional challenges in designing releasable cords that minimize the possibility of entanglement in the cords. Therefore, there is still a need in the art for an apparatus that reduces the dangers associated with cords on window blinds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It should be appreciated that the particular devices and methods illustrating the present invention are exemplary only and not to be regarded as limitations of the present invention.

Exemplary embodiments include an improved window shade apparatus including a headrail including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail, a window cover affixed at one end to the headrail, a lift cord affixed at one end to the lift apparatus of the headrail and at a second end to a bottom portion of the window cover. The improved window shade apparatus includes a plurality of attachment members coupled to a rear surface of the window cover and a guide member which is attached to the rear surface of the window cover at various points by the plurality of attachment members. The lift cord extends from the headrail through the guide member and the window cover may be raised or lowered via the lift cord.

A further exemplary embodiment includes an improved window shade apparatus including a headrail including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail, a window cover affixed at one end to the headrail, a lift cord affixed at one end to the lift apparatus of the headrail and at a second end to a bottom portion of the window cover. The improved window shade apparatus includes a plurality of attachment members coupled to a rear surface of the window cover and a guide member containing a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of attachment members affix the guide member to the rear surface of the window cover at the plurality of apertures. The lift cord extends from the headrail through the guide member and the window cover may be raised or lowered via the lift cord.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a window shade that includes an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of a window shade that includes an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this specification concludes with claims defining the features of the embodiments that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the improved window shade lift apparatus and other embodiments will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

As required, detailed embodiments of the improved window shade lift apparatus are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments of the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the embodiments herein.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The phrase “at least one of” as used herein, is defined as one or more than one. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language).

The improved window shade lift apparatus described herein provides a safety feature for a window shade, such as a roman shade, that prevents a user become entangled with a lift cord of a typical window shade. The improved window shade lift apparatus may be designed to function properly with a wide variety of designs of window shades, especially window shades constructed out of a heavier material, such as bamboo or wood.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, an improved window shade lift apparatus is illustrated for a shade, such as a window shade 10. The window shade 10 includes a headrail 12, a window cover 14, a lift cord 16, a plurality of attachment members 18, and a plurality of guide members 20. The headrail 12 may include means for affixing the headrail 12 to a wall such a apertures for receiving screws. In other embodiments, the headrail 12 may be designed to be affixed to a wall through the use of a separate mounting mechanism. The headrail 12 includes a lift apparatus designed to raise the window cover 14 upon an application of force to the lift cord 16.

The lift cord 16 is engaged with the lift apparatus and extends from the headrail 12 to a bottom portion of the window cover 14, to which it is affixed. The lift cord 16 passes through the plurality of attachment members 18 affixed to the rear surface of the window cover 14 and through the plurality of guide members 20. As the lift cord 16 is pulled and the window cover 14 is raised, the bottom of the window cover 14 is raised and the window cover 14 forms folds at each of the attachment members 18.

The plurality of guide members 20 are each affixed at one end to one of the plurality of attachment members 18 and at a second end to another one of the plurality of attachment members 18. The guide members 20 are designed to allow the lift cord 16 to easily pass through the guide members 20 while preventing the lift cord 16 from being pulled away from the rear surface of the window cover 14 by more than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance can be varied by changing the length of the guide members 20.

In exemplary embodiments the attachment members 18 may be metal or plastic rings that are affixed to the rear surface of the window cover 14 and to at least one guide member 20. The lift cord 16 is affixed to the bottom of the window cover and passes through the opening in the ring and through the guide members 20. The guide members 20 may be plastic or fabric and are designed to allow the lift cord 16 to easily pass through the guide member 20. In one embodiment the guide member 20 is a fabric sleeve attached on both ends to attachment members 18.

The guide member 20 restricts the lift cord 16 from being pulled away from the rear surface of the window cover 14. Thereby reducing the risk of injury to a user of the window shade 10. For example, the guide member 20 can be limited to 8 inches in length which would prevent objects that had a circumference of greater than about 16 inches from passing between the rear surface of the window cover 14. In addition, the guide member 20 prevents access to the lift cord 16 from the rear surface of the window cover 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, an improved window shade lift apparatus is illustrated for a shade, such as a window shade 110. The window shade 110 includes a headrail 112, a window cover 114, a lift cord 116, a plurality of attachment members 118, and a guide member 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the guide member 120 contains a plurality of apertures 122. The headrail 112 may include means for affixing the headrail 112 to a wall such a apertures for receiving screws. In other embodiments, the headrail 112 may be designed to be affixed to a wall through the use of a separate mounting mechanism. The headrail 112 includes a lift apparatus designed to raise the window cover 114 upon an application of force to the lift cord 116.

The lift cord 116 is engaged with the lift apparatus and extends from the headrail 112 to a bottom portion of the window cover 114, to which it is affixed. The lift cord 116 passes through the guide member 120. The plurality of attachment members 118 affix the rear surface of the window cover 114 to the guide member 120 at the point of each aperture 122. As the lift cord 116 is pulled and the window cover 114 is raised, the bottom of the window cover 114 is raised and the window cover 114 forms folds at each of the attachment members 118. The guide member 120 is designed to allow the lift cord 116 to easily pass through the guide member 120 while preventing the lift cord from being pulled away from the rear surface of the window cover 114 by more than a predetermined amount. The predetermined distance can be varied by changing the distance between adjacent apertures 122 contained within the guide member 120. Although only one guide member 120 is being described here, it is to be understood that depending on the dimensions of the window cover 114, the invention may include multiple guide members 120. A typical number of guide members 120, as shown in FIG. 3, would be two.

In exemplary embodiments the attachment members 118 may be metal or plastic rings that are affixed to the rear surface of the window cover 114 and that attach the guide member 120 to the rear of the window cover 114 at each of the plurality of apertures 122, by passing through the apertures 122. The lift cord 116 is affixed to the bottom of the window cover and passes through the guide member 120. The guide member 120 may be plastic or fabric and is designed to allow the lift cord 116 to easily pass through the guide member 120. In one embodiment the guide member 120 is a fabric sleeve attached at the bottom end to the rear of the window cover 114, and the top end may either be attached to the headrail 112 or one of the plurality of attachment members 118. The window cover 114 may be composed of a single piece of fabric or it may be composed of rigid material such as wood, bamboo, plastic or any other suitable material.

The guide member 120 restricts the lift cord 116 from being pulled away from the rear surface of the window cover 114. Thereby reducing the risk of injury to a user of the window shade 110. For example, the distance between two adjacent apertures 122 at which points the guide member is affixed to the rear of the window cover 114 can be limited to 8 inches in length which would prevent objects that had a circumference of greater than about 16 inches from passing between the rear surface of the window cover 114 and the lift cord 116.

As would be understood by one skilled in the art, the use of an attachment member, such as a ring, in conjunction with an aperture 122 is merely one possible way to affix the guide member 120 to the rear of the window cover 114. Instead of apertures, the guide member 120 may have loops affixed to it which latch on to the attachment member, or the guide member may be otherwise glued, sewn or pinned directly to the rear of the window cover 114. Additionally, the guide member 120 may have many more apertures, loops or other connective points than there are attachment members, to allow the guide member to be used on a range of different sizes and configurations of window covers 114.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An improved window shade apparatus comprising: a headrail including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail; a window cover affixed at one end to the headrail; a lift cord coupled to the lift apparatus of the headrail and affixed at one end to a bottom portion of the window cover; a plurality of attachment members coupled to a rear surface of the window cover; and a guide member, wherein the plurality of attachment members affixes the guide member to the rear surface of the window cover; wherein the lift cord extends from the headrail through the guide member, wherein the window cover may be raised or lowered via the lift cord.
 2. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of attachment members are spaced apart at fixed lengths to prevent objects larger than a predetermined size from passing between the guide member and the rear surface of the window cover.
 3. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide member is fabric sleeve.
 4. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guide member is plastic.
 5. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are two or more guide members.
 6. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of attachment members are rings.
 7. An improved window shade apparatus comprising: a headrail including a lift apparatus affixed to the headrail; a window cover affixed at one end to the headrail; a lift cord coupled to the lift apparatus of the headrail and affixed at one end to a bottom portion of the window cover; a plurality of attachment members coupled to a rear surface of the window cover; and a guide member containing a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of attachment members affix the guide member to the rear surface of the window cover at the plurality of apertures; wherein the lift cord extends from the headrail through the guide member, wherein the window cover may be raised or lowered via the lift cord.
 8. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced apart at fixed lengths to prevent objects larger than a predetermined size from passing between the guide member and the rear surface of the window cover.
 9. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 8 wherein the plurality of attachment members are rings.
 10. The improved window shade apparatus of claim 8 wherein there are two or more guide members. 